–From a scene in which unbeknownst
to Scrooge, Marley’s spirit has accompanied Scrooge and the Ghost of
Christmas Present to the marketplace:

At that
moment, an urchin of no more than five stood before the trio. Whether she could
not see Marley and Scrooge, or whether she simply paid them no mind, it could
not be discerned, but there was no question she saw the ghost, as she surveyed
his entire wardrobe and stared with delight into his face. The spirit smiled
down at her. He took his cornucopia torch and tipped it above her head, which
caused a soundless waterfall of glistening sparkles, like a thousand miniature
sprites, that seemed to flow into the girl as they touched her.

“Spirit,”
asked Jacob, “why does she see you?”

“I cannot
stop her. It is not that I choose to reveal myself to her, but I am revealed by
her purity. She sees me because her eyes are not shrouded with doubt or hate,
fear or selfishness or greed. Her heart is innocent, and her eyes are an
extension of that heart. My mission is the goodness of man in this season, and
I cannot keep it from her.”

“Do all
the children see you?”

“No, just
the ones whose spirits are so remarkable, they tend to live in both
worlds.”

“And what
is that with which you christened her?”

“Joy, that
it might fill her needs a bit.”

Marley
seemed troubled. “She does not look like she needs joy. I think she needs
food—and clothing.”

“Look
about you,” said the spirit more sternly. “Do you see food?”

Marley
again took in the array of fruits and vegetables and nuts and plants of all
kinds. “I do, Spirit. So much that to feed this little one even all she could
swallow would not make a noticeable scratch on this abundance.”

“And do
you see people?” There were men and women and children bustling about, wishing
each other the greatest merriment of the day and generally enjoying the
morning.

“I do,
Spirit, many.”

“And what
number of that many are stooping down to offer one bite, or perhaps an old
shawl they would never miss, to this poor girl?”

Jacob
noticed that the crowds seemed completely oblivious to the child, walking
around her and even bumping her at times, looking down only to see what
inconvenience they had stepped on and, upon finding it to be only an urchin
girl, looking back up to continue their conversations, never missing a word.
“None,” Jacob confessed. “Not one seems to notice her.”

“They all
could, Jacob, if they chose. But they seem not to care. So, in this, I provide
a little to give her what they may not.”

“But if
she is hungry, why not give her all she needs?”

“Do not
think that a spirit does not have a kind heart! For we do. I ache for her
needs. But if I were to give her food and clothing and a home, what would be
required of you?”